Kazakhstan Donates Locomotives to Kyrgyz Republic
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has donated five locomotives, including two shunting and three mainline, to the Kyrgyz Republic, the Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID) reported on March 7. The locomotives were handed over to Kyrgyz Temir Jolu, the country’s largest railroad carrier, from Kazakhstan’s Karatau, Zhem, and Shymkent railroad stations. The transfer was facilitated by…
AIX Starts Trading Renewable Energy Certificates, Advancing Green Finance
ASTANA — Astana International Exchange (AIX) has launched the trading of International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-REC), marking a milestone in developing sustainable finance and the carbon market in Kazakhstan. The Astana International Financial Centre’s (AIFC) press service reported on Feb. 25 that the first transaction involved the London-based trading firm Valor Carbon purchasing 1,000 I-REC…
First Container Train from India Dispatches to Kazakhstan
ASTANA – A subsidiary of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), in cooperation with Uzbekistan’s and Turkmenistan’s railway companies, organized the first shipment of 12 twenty-foot containers carrying ceramic tiles from Mundra Port, India, to Astana on March 4. The KTZ press service reported that the train will travel 1,585 kilometers by sea and 4,300 kilometers by…
Dimash to Release New Song with Grammy-Winning Producer
ASTANA – A world-renowned singer Dimash Qudaibergen will premiere his new song and first collaboration with two-time Grammy Award winner, world-renowned producer and composer Walter Afanasieff on March 7, reported DimashNews.com Afanasieff has worked with global music legends such as Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Lara Fabian, Ricky Martin, Leona Lewis, and…
Kazakhstan Fulfills OPEC+ Obligations in February
ASTANA – Kazakhstan took all necessary measures to fully implement its OPEC+ obligations in February, Energy Minister Almassadam Satkaliyev stated during a March 3 virtual meeting, reported the ministry’s press service. The meeting involved eight OPEC+ countries that previously announced additional voluntary adjustments in April and November 2023, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United…
Kazakhstan Identifies Preliminary Cause of Recent Mine Collapse
ASTANA – A preliminary investigation has revealed that the mine collapse at Kazakhmys Corporation in the Ulytau Region on Feb. 17, which resulted in the deaths of seven people, was caused by the buildup and release of methane from the mine works, followed by an explosion triggered by a spark from electrical equipment. The Prime…
Kazakhstan Presents Digital Investment Coin at Berlin’s World Money Fair
ASTANA—The National Bank of Kazakhstan presented the digital investment coin ÚKI at the World Money Fair in Berlin on Feb. 28, the bank’s press service reported. The global presentation unveiled the key features of the project’s launch and implementation. International experts highly appreciated the project’s advancement, focus on financial education, quality, and exclusive design. The…
Kazakhstan Launches Digital Nomad Residency Project
ASTANA – Kazakhstan announced plans to introduce the Digital Nomad Residency for foreign IT professionals to work and reside permanently in the country, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry reported on March 3. Kazakhstan introduced the Digital Nomad Residency, a pilot project offering a simplified path to permanent residency (PRP). Applicants must…
Central Asia is Key Part of Europe-Asia Economic Integration, Ambassador Simkić Says
ASTANA – The European Union and countries of Central Asia seek to strengthen partnership through political, economic and security cooperation. As the 20th EU-Central Asia Ministerial meeting in Ashgabat approaches, EU Ambassador to Kazakhstan Aleška Simkić spoke about the EU’s strategic vision, investments, and plans for future collaboration with the region in an interview with…
Kazakhstan to Launch Shymkent-Cairo Flights in May
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s SCAT Airlines will open a new Shymkent-Cairo route starting May 29, the Transport Ministry reported. Flights will be operated twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays. Additionally, Qazaq Air will launch Astana-Samarkand flights on May 1, with convenient transit in Turkistan. This route allows passengers to explore Turkistan, Kazakhstan’s spiritual and historical…
Kazakhstan to Build First Nuclear Power Plant in Almaty Region
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has designated the Zhambyl district of the Almaty Region as the site for its first nuclear power plant (NPP), according to a government decree, reported Kazinform on Feb. 25. The country recently completed a dialogue with potential technology suppliers for the plant’s construction. The Ministry of Energy estimates the plant could be…
European Council Appoints New EU Representative for Central Asia
ASTANA – The Council of the European Union (EU) appointed Eduards Stiprais as Central Asia’s new EU Special Representative (EUSR) on Feb. 24. According to the council’s press service, Stiprais will take up his duties on March 1 for an initial two-year mandate, succeeding Terhi Hakala. Stiprais, a Latvian diplomat, has served as Latvia’s Permanent…
Kazakhstan to Develop Joint Satellites with Mongolia and Congo
ASTANA – Kazakhstan Garysh Sapary national space company has signed agreements with Mongolia and Congo to develop joint satellites, Kazinform reported on Feb. 24, citing the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry. These countries are interested in Kazakhstan’s Earth remote sensing technologies for monitoring agriculture, ecology, and natural resources. The company has been…
SCO Legal Framework Updates Take Center Stage at Beijing Meeting
ASTANA — Updating the legal framework took center stage at the regular meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of National Coordinators, chaired by China and held in Beijing from Feb. 18-21. The national coordinators advocated a thorough elaboration of all the proposals to transform the SCO into a practical and mobile multilateral structure.…
Almaty to Open Visitor Center in Tuyuk-Su Tract
ASTANA – A modern visitor center will be opened in the Tuyuk-Su tract, Almaty, the city administration’s press service reported on Feb. 12. The center, estimated to cost 380 million tenge (US$767,049), will include a guest house, café, pharmacy, equipment rental shop, souvenir shop, and space for creative events. It will also offer electric vehicle…
Kazakh Airlines to Launch New Flights to Georgia and China in May
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s airline Air Astana plans to launch direct flights from Atyrau in the western part of the country to Tbilisi, Georgia, on May 27, reported the Ministry of Transport. Flights will be operated three times a week on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday. This direction is now available from Almaty and Aktau. Another air…
Kazakhstan to Open First External Sea Terminal in Poti This April
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s first external sea terminal will open in Poti, Georgia, in April, Kazinform reported on Feb. 18, citing Jibek Joly TV Channel. The $30 million project, launched by a domestic investor two years ago, will have an annual capacity of 120,000 containers. Located in the Poti port, which features over 20 berthing cranes…
Almaty Hosts First UNESCO Global Youth Forum
ASTANA – Almaty hosted the opening of the First Global Youth Forum of UNESCO Clubs and Associations on Feb. 19, welcoming over 150 participants from nearly 60 countries worldwide, reported the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service. During the two-day event, participants plan to discuss key issues such as capacity building, youth empowerment, artificial intelligence ethics,…
Kazakhstan to Cut Oil Production to Offset January Overproduction
ASTANA — Kazakhstan will take further measures to meet its OPEC+ commitments, including cutting production at other oilfields, to offset the January excess, Minister of Energy Almassadam Satkaliyev said in telephone talks with several OPEC+ officials and energy ministers on Feb. 17, according to the ministry’s press service. Satkaliyev explained that the January increase was…
Kazakhstan Proposes Simplifying Business Travel with France
ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Bakayev proposed simplifying business trips with France at a meeting with Patrick Stefanini, the Special Representative of the French Interior Minister, on Feb. 10 in Astana, reported the ministry’s press service. This move would open up new opportunities in investment, innovation, culture, sports, science, and education. The Kazakh…
Canadian Mining Company to Explore Kazakhstan’s Chu-Sarysu Copper Basin
ASTANA – Canadian mining company Ivanhoe Mines announced the formation of an exploration joint venture to explore the Chu-Sarysu Copper Basin in Kazakhstan, which is the world’s third-largest sediment-hosted copper district, on Feb. 12. Ivanhoe has committed to fund $18.7 million in exploration activities over an initial two year period, with earn-in rights to further…
Kazakhstan and EU Discuss Cooperation Plans in Brussels
ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko held a series of meetings with representatives of key European Union institutions in Brussels to discuss the prospects for deepening Kazakhstan-EU cooperation and strengthening regional partnerships in Central Asia. Discussions focused on priority areas of collaboration, including transport and infrastructure projects, sustainable development, energy partnerships, and the…
Swiss Company to Invest in Сaviar Production in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Swiss Choice Holding will invest in a fish farm project on the Caspian Sea coast, aiming to produce 100 to 600 tons of sturgeon and 100 tons of caviar annually, as was reported during a meeting between the company representatives and Mangystau Region Governor Nurdaulet Kilybai on Feb. 12. According to the regional…
First Comic Book About Bozok Medieval City Unveiled
ASTANA – The Bozok State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve presented the first edition of the comic book “Journey of Alikhan and Aikerim” on Feb. 12, reported the Kazakh Culture and Information Ministry’s press service. Released in Kazakh, Russian, and English, the comic book targets children and adolescents and aims to promote Kazakh literature through stories…
Kazakhstan’s Proved Oil Reserves Reach 30 Billion Barrels
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s proved oil reserves totaled 30 billion barrels as of Jan. 1, according to the United States (U.S.) Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) report, published on Feb. 6. The report notes that the Caspian Sea has substantial oil and natural gas reserves from offshore deposits and onshore fields. Traditionally an oil-producing area, it has…
